|
|
The lamp lighting and auspicious
coconut smashing took place on July 3, but today is actually T3 Terminal's
first day in business at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA).
Delhi International Airport Terminal 3 •The terminal's built-up
area of 5.5 million square feet will serve 34 million passengers annually.
|
click for Other Tourist Place |
ARRIVAL / DEPARTURE
Visa: Citizens of all
countries (including Commonwealth) require a valid passport and an appropriate
(entry, transit or tourist) visa. The visa must be obtained abroad from
an Indian Mission. Tourist visas are generally valid for 120 days stay
in India. If planning to visit a neighboring country such as Nepal and
then re-entering India, a double/multiple entry visa should be obtained,
For extending the visa apply for a letter of permission from the Ministry
of Home Affairs Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market (Tel. 469-3334, 461-2543,
461-7649). Thereafter the letter is to be presented to the FRRO. The Foreigner’s
Regional Registration Office (FRRO) is located at Hans Bhavan, Tilak Bridge,
New Delhi (Tel, 3319489, 331-8179). Timings: 9.30 am to 1.30 p.m. and 2
p.m. to 4 p.m., weekends and national holidays closed
With floor space of 6.4
million square ft, 92 automatic walkways and 78 aerobridges, the terminal's
size and scale are awe-inspiring. Small wonder that the Prime Minister
said it would be a window to India, the first impression of the country
when one arrives here. "It would signal the arrival of a new India, committed
to join the ranks of modern, industrialized nations of the world...The
commissioning of this terminal will be a significant step forward in developing
Delhi as a vital hub. It will encourage feeder traffic from the non-metro
airports being developed by the Airports Authority of India," he said at
the inaugural ceremony.
The first impression
is the sheer vastness of the building. But, it is possible to walk through
without getting tired thanks to the travelators. This will be the first
time in India that domestic and international passengers alike will walk
in one stream till check-in. Only then will their paths diverge with international
passengers heading for immigration and domestic passengers heading for
the security check.
The terminal has walkways lined with greenery, walls adorned with art based on the theme of 'Flavours of India' and brightly-lit corridors. Add to that a multi-level parking lot, equipped with elevators and corridors that connect to the main terminal building, taking passengers directly to their various entry gates. With 168 check-in counters and an in-line baggage check system, the check-in process will be a breeze. T3 offers world class facilities to make sure that flight operations are conducted smoothly and in a timely manner. The new baggage check system does away with separate x-raying of baggage, passengers are not likely to take more than five to 10 minutes to clear the process, claim Delhi International Airport (P) Ltd (DIAL) officials. After security check, passengers travelling in both the international and domestic sectors would have a wide variety of shopping outlets and food counters to choose from. With air traffic promising to rise and Delhi still dependent on its new and much shorter secondary runway, congestion-related delays are not likely to go away though waiting for flights will be a completely new experience. The airport building is a non-smoking zone but a special smoking room has been provided. Passenger Info
Credit Cards: American Express, Masters Charge Visa and Diners Club Credit Cards are generally accepted by large establishments, including hotels, shops and at lines. International Student’s Identity Card: For issue and renewal of the card contact students Travel Information Center, Hotel Imperial, Janpath, |
Tourist Guides: English speaking guides approved by the Govt. of India can be hired at all important places of interest. The Tourist Office (88 Janpath,) assists in hiring guides speaking other languages.
Taxi/Scooter: Both are metered. Ensure that the driver flags down the meter before he starts. Minimum fares are Rs. 8.00 (taxi) and Rs. 5.00 (auto). The old meter readings will be Rs. 5.00 and Rs. 3.00 respectively, to which approximately 70 per cent of the reading are added. Revised meter reading fare charts are available with all public transport drivers. Extra charges are payable for halting, baggage and vehicles engaged between 11 am and 5 p.m. (20 per cent extra for autos and 25 per cent for taxis). To complain about overcharging or misbehaviour call 331-9334 (during office hours) or 301-4896.